Catholic Zen, Online 7/7–7/28

Practice Center
Date / Time
Jul 7, 2026 / 7:00pm - Jul 28, 2026 / 8:30pm
Event Type
Classes & Extended Courses
Description

Zen in the United States is in continual conversation with the religious and social context of the dominant culture. As convert Buddhists explore their own Zen paths, echoes of other religious practices inevitably inform our experience, and the dominant religious movements around us color our understanding of Zen. This class will look specifically at commonalities, differences, and resonances between Catholic teachings and practices, and Soto Zen as it's practiced at San Francisco Zen Center.

Dōshin Dan Gudgel was raised in an observant Roman Catholic family, and recognized that some elements of that early religious experience connect to his experience of Zen. Community, group recitation, good works, bells, and incense all are important parts of both traditions. And as we gather together to explore this topic, undoubtedly more parallels and echoes will come forward.

In this four-part course, we’ll look at:

  • Monastic practice and the writings of monastic practitioners in both traditions.
  • Soto Zen service forms, in comparison with the Catholic Mass liturgy 
  • The writings and everyday experiences of practitioners of both traditions
  • The lived experiences of any class participants who wish to share

Short excerpts from several texts will be provided and referred to. No books are required for the class, but for those who wish to explore more deeply, primary texts are likely to include:

  • The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
  • The Rule of St. Benedict, and particularly the Zen exploration of that text as presented in Benedict’s Dharma.
  • Tenzo Kyokun by Eihei Dogen
  • Selected writings by Thomas Merton and Brother David Stendl-Rast

Recordings:
All course sessions will be recorded, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.

Fee Information
  • Benefactor Ticket Price: $210
  • General ticket price: $168
  • Member (Become an SFZC Member): $151
  • Sliding Scale 1: $101
  • Sliding Scale 2: $42
  • Current SFZC residents and qualified SFZC retirees may attend this course for free. To register, please email onlineprograms@sfzc.org at least 72 hours before the program begins.

Register Online

Or call 415-354-0360.

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